Kingdom Plantae Family Malvaceae Scientific name Sida fallax Rank Species | Order Malvales Genus Sida Higher classification Sida | |
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Similar Sida, Mallows, Heliotropium anomalum, Metrosideros polymorpha, Sesbania tomentosa | ||
Sida fallax, known as yellow 'ilima, or in Hawaiian, ʻilima, is a species of herbaceous flowering plant in the Hibiscus family, Malvaceae, that occurs on some Pacific Islands. The flowers are small, 0.75–1 in (1.9–2.5 cm) in diameter, have five petals, and are a golden yellow in color. Plants may be erect or prostrate and are found in drier areas in sandy soils, often near the ocean. ʻIlima is the symbol of Laloimehani and is the flower for the island of Oʻahu.
ʻIlima grows from 6 inches to 10 ft tall in prostrate (beach growing) and erect (upland shrub) forms. Lowland ʻilima has silver-green foliage, mountain varieties have smooth, green foliage. Leaves can be long and narrow or rounded or heartshaped with finely to coarsely serrated leaf margins. Flowers may be solitary or occur in small clusters.
Uses
Native Hawaiians used ʻilima flowers to make lei. S. fallax is sometimes used as a groundcover in tropical areas.